Viktor Torkotiuk is the commander of the Ukrainian special forces “Artan”. Two years ago he wanted to visit the Vienna Opera with his wife. But then the war got in the way.
They call him ‘Titan’, he has been fighting at the front for two years: Lieutenant Colonel Viktor Torkotiuk, married for 19 years, father of two daughters and two sons. In an interview with the ‘Krone’ he describes the unequal fight against Russia, the constant threat of drones and what it feels like to kill.
Kronen Zeitung: Mr. Torkotiuk, what are you currently telling your soldiers when they ask you how long this war will last?
Viktor Torkotiuk: No one in my unit has ever asked me this question. Of course, after two years of intense struggle, some of us are already a little tired. But we all motivate each other. We are ready for a long battle.
If you compare the start of the war two years ago with the situation now: what has changed the most? How is the war different now than in the beginning?
Virtually all conventional weapons available to the Russians are now deployed on the battlefield. The war is ongoing in all areas: ground operations, naval and air battles, but also confrontations in cyberspace and the battle between intelligence services. Moscow is weakened, but not enough to end the war. So we have no choice but to continue inflicting losses on Russia so that we can deliver a decisive blow at the right time.
What are your soldiers missing the most right now?
It is no secret that the delivery of certain types of weapons from our partners is being delayed. Above all, we need artillery systems, ammunition and air defense systems, because Russia will not stop its rocket terror and Iranian drone attacks. Of course, we urgently need fighter planes to counterbalance Russian air superiority. But I want to emphasize that we are not solely dependent on Western supplies. The whole world can see how our Ukrainian naval drones destroy the remains of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
And how big is the threat from Russian drones?
We see and hear them all the time, and if we can, we shoot them. The Russians have adopted a lot of our knowledge here and are actively using it: one drone conducts reconnaissance from a great height, the other plunges into the target and explodes. Assault rifles don’t help much, we use jammers and shotguns.
Are these your main weapons?
No, the most important weapon is our mind. We try to plan correctly, to have several options for the development of events. And to attack unexpectedly and precisely.
What do you personally miss most about the front line? Besides friends and family?
I miss the peace and normal life. My wife and I love to travel. By the way, we had bought tickets to Vienna, we were supposed to fly in April 2022 and we had booked a hotel. But due to the Russian invasion in February we had to postpone our visit a bit. As long as Russia threatens my country, I cannot go to the Vienna Opera. My orchestra is now my boys.
Has it become easier to kill over the course of the war? For you personally and for your men?
The Russian army has come on Putin’s orders to destroy us, Ukrainians, because it believes that we as a nation do not exist. They kill our people every day. Therefore, I don’t think it is right to think about the ‘ease’ or ‘difficulty’ of killing in war. We have no other choice.
How do you feel about it?
What if we shoot at Russian soldiers? Nothing. Except the recoil.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
